WARRIORS_LH_272.JPG WARRIORS Vs. Houston @McAffee Coliseum/ Baron Davis reaching higher than Yao Ming as he shoots during the third quarter. Photographed by Liz Hafalia
Ran on: 12-15-2006
Andris Biedrins gets 2 of his 15 points for the Warriors with this slam dunk in the third quarter.
Ran on: 12-15-2006
Andris Biedrins gets 2 of his 15 points for the Warriors with this slam dunk in the third quarter. less

Golden State Warriors' Adonal Foyle (31) and Matt Barnes (22) try to keep Houston Rockets' Yao Ming of China from a rebound in the first quarter on an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less

Golden State Warriors' Adonal Foyle (31) and Matt Barnes (22) try to keep Houston Rockets' Yao Ming of China from a rebound in the first quarter on an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Oakland, ... more

Photo: Ben Margot

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Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (11), of China, scores against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter on an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (11), of China, scores against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter on an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Photo: Ben Margot

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Golden State Warriors' Matt Barnes (22) and Houston Rockets' Chuck Hayes (44) fight for a rebound in the first quarter on an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Oakland, Calif. Rockets' Yao Ming looks on at left. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less

Golden State Warriors' Matt Barnes (22) and Houston Rockets' Chuck Hayes (44) fight for a rebound in the first quarter on an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Oakland, Calif. Rockets' Yao Ming ... more

Photo: Ben Margot

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Golden State Warriors' Mickael Pietrus (2) , of France, drives a shot from underneath Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (110 , of China, in the first quarter on an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less

Golden State Warriors' Mickael Pietrus (2) , of France, drives a shot from underneath Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (110 , of China, in the first quarter on an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in ... more

Photo: Ben Margot

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Davis has answer for Rockets' Yao

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Yao Ming and Baron Davis engaged in a riveting study in contrasts Thursday night. There went Yao, spinning his 7-foot-6 frame and dropping home soft hook shots or feathery turnaround jumpers. Back came Davis, a full 15 inches shorter, dashing downcourt and weaving toward the basket.

Finally, with the outcome twisting in doubt, Davis drained a long three-point shot with 1.2 seconds left, lifting the Warriors to a thrilling 109-107 victory over Houston before a capacity crowd of 19,596 in Oakland.

It was an electrifying end to a wildly entertaining fourth quarter, as the Warriors and Rockets raced back and forth, trading the lead with abandon. Davis led the Warriors with 34 points, while Yao had 38 points and 18 rebounds for Houston.

But in the game's frantic final moments, Yao misfired. The Rockets, leading 107-106, worked the ball to Yao on the baseline, where his hurried turnaround - closely defended by Adonal Foyle - sailed over the rim for an airball. Davis gathered the ball with about 10 seconds left, glanced quickly at coach Don Nelson and took off.

He evaded Yao beyond the arc, with help from a Foyle screen, and let fly from about 25 feet. The crowd erupted when the ball found its intended destination, and when Yao came up short on his desperation 25-footer at the buzzer, the Warriors had climbed above .500 (at 12-11).

"It was a long one, but I had enough time to set my feet and let it fly," Davis said. "It was one of those shots to get us over the hump. We had been battling hard all night."

Nelson's decision not to call timeout on the final possession made perfect sense, given his history of up-tempo small ball. The Warriors did not produce a high-percentage shot, but Nelson insisted he would have endorsed Davis even if the ball did not nestle triumphantly through the net.

"I'm backing him, whether he made it or missed it," Nelson said. "We always like the open court. The players know I want to push the ball, and we had 10 seconds - so it was a perfect scenario to push the ball."

The Warriors won despite a huge rebounding disparity -- the Rockets grabbed 53 boards to Golden State's 33. Houston played without Tracy McGrady, who missed the game with back spasms.

The Warriors also won despite another dominant effort from Yao. Foyle and Andris Biedrins took turns trying to defend him -- the Warriors also played zone at times -- but it was nearly a futile quest.

"That's an impossible fadeaway shot," Foyle said. "He's probably the best big guy in the game. He has the whole package."

Davis' last-second theatrics came after Monta Ellis drained an 18-foot jumper with 49 seconds left, pulling the Warriors within 105-103. Back came Yao, spinning on the baseline and softly dropping a jumper over Foyle, stretching Houston's lead to 107-103.

And back came the Warriors, wildly, after Ellis badly missed a 3-point attempt. Mike Dunleavy collected the rebound, made a short follow shot and converted the free throw to bring Golden State within 107-106 with 29 seconds left, setting up the furious final sequence.

The teams engaged in a lively, up-tempo fourth quarter, trading speedy trips downcourt and acrobatic moves to the basket. Davis energized the crowd when he weaved through traffic and elevated for a demonstrative dunk and a 78-78 tie.

The Warriors led 52-50 at halftime, but they nearly fell out of sight in the third quarter: Houston scored 13 consecutive points, abruptly building a 63-52 lead. Yao led the way, naturally, hitting one sweet turnaround jumper even Bill Russell would have struggled to defend.

Yao showed uncommon animation later in the quarter, grabbing an offensive rebound and throwing down a spirited one-handed jam - and punctuating it with a brief pose and primal scream.

But Yao eventually retreated to the bench for a rest, and the Warriors took full advantage by surging within 78-75 heading into the fourth quarter.